Fascinating: The Life of Leonard Nimoy

About the Story

Once there was a boy named Leonard who loved to sing and act. His parents were immigrants who felt like aliens in America, and certainly didn’t understand Leonard’s drive to perform. “Learn to play the accordion,” his father told him. “Actors starve, but at least musicians can eke out a living.”

Still, Leonard reached for the stars. . . and caught them. He moved to Hollywood, where he took acting lessons and drove a taxi and accepted every role he could get. He worked hard, learned his lines, showed up on time, and studied his craft. Until one day he was offered the role of an alien science officer on a new TV show called Star Trek. Leonard knew what it felt like to be an alien. But did he want the role?

Fascinating is the story of how one boy followed his dreams, and became one of the most beloved and iconic figures of our time.

Discussion Questions

  1. Who would you choose to write a book about? Why?

  2. What do you think someone would say in a book about you?

  3. Leonard Nimoy had many people in his life that encouraged him to take chances and supported his dreams. Have you taken a chance on something before? What happened?

  4. The greeting of the Vulcans on Star Trek was inspired by an ancient Hebraic gesture Leonard saw in the temple when he was a child. Do you have a special way that you greet people?

Activity

Richard Michelson wrote Fascinating about his friend, Leonard Nimoy. Pick someone that you would like to write a book about. It could be a friend or family member or someone you admire even if you don't know them personally.

Whose story do you want to tell? What would the first sentence be? Design a cover based off of your ideas.

Great Reads from Great Places 2018

About Star Trek

Star Trek was an American sci-fi television series that ran for three seasons on NBC from 1966-1969. Created by American writer and producer Gene Roddenberry, the series chronicled the exploits of the crew from starship USS Enterprise, who had embarked on a five year mission to explore space and discover the unknown. Star Trek takes place in the 23rd century after the Vulcans, a harmless and advanced group of aliens, introduced their technologies to Earth, allowing humans to set off on intergalatic space travel at speeds faster than light. Read more on the history of the beloved series.

Included in the Enterprise’s crew is Mr. Spock, a half-human, half-Vulcan whose actions are determined by logic, not influenced by emotion. A trusted friend to the captain of the starship, James T. Kirk, Spock was played by Leonard Nimoy. Learn more about Spock.

Back cover of Fascinating

Meet the Author

Richard Michelson is the author of many acclaimed books for adults and children, including Sydney Taylor Gold Medal winner and National Jewish Book Award finalist As Good As Anybody, illustrated by Raul Colón, and New York Times Best Illustrated Book and Notable Children’s Book Busing Brewster, illustrated by R. G. Roth. He was Leonard Nimoy’s gallerist and close friend. Richard lives with his wife in Amherst, Massachusetts, and is the proprietor of R. Michelson Galleries.